Perriello Wants Assurance on Reconciliation Bill from 51 Senators

Washington, DC –Rep. Tom Perriello released the following statement today:

“After all of the valid ideological debates, health care reform for me comes down to whether this bill will save money for working families and small business and whether it will keep our hospitals and clinics from closing their doors. It will. At this moment, we either move towards solutions or point fingers while our health care system, our federal treasury, and our middle-class families go bankrupt. I will not sit by while that happens to our nation and our families. I came to Washington to do what is necessary, not what is easy, and reforming our health care system ranks near the top of that list.

“This legislation will reduce our federal deficit by $1.2 trillion, and for a family of four making $60,000 a year, they can expect to see their costs lowered by $1,000-$2,000 every year under this legislation, and probably more over time. That is real money back in the pockets of working families at a critical time.

“I believe this health care reform legislation is a critical step forward for America. But I cannot support the backroom deals and kickbacks infamously inserted into Senate side, like the Cornhusker Kickback and the Louisiana Purchase. Nor can I support the crushing 40% tax that would fall on many middle-class families under their bill. So I am prepared to vote yes on health care reform as soon as 51 Senators commit to seeing this reconciliation bill through to completion.”

5th District Hospitals and Community Health Centers Support Health Care Reform:

“This legislation is critical to us and the patients we serve, and we are counting on your leadership to get this package enacted into law. Please do not let this opportunity pass us by. It will make a difference to so many people by setting our health care system on a more secure path,” said Joseph Roach, Chief Executive Officer of Martinsville Memorial Hospital.

“The status quo is unacceptable, and it is critically important for our community, and my hospital, that Congress provide health security for every American as soon as possible. The legislation before you would provide essential coverage to tens of millions of currently uninsured and underinsured Americans. It would also reform the health care system in a way that would improve outcomes and reduce costs,” said Eric Deaton, Chief Executive Officer of Danville Regional Medical Center.

“I am writing on behalf of the University of Virginia Medical Center to indicate our support of the health reform package pending before the House because we believe providing affordable health coverage for more citizens of the Commonwealth is critical. Absent reform, the number of uninsured will continue to grow and the financial burden will fall mostly on teaching hospitals and disproportionate share hospitals,” said Sally N. Barber of U.Va. Medical Center.

“As a community health center Executive Director, I am very pleased that Tom Perriello has decided to support the health care reform bill. We have so many uninsured patients that will benefit from this legislation. Our patients will be healthier citizens because of Congressman Perriello’s support of health care reform.  The Congressman has been supportive of community health centers, and all of our patients will benefit from his support of health care reform,” said Rod Manifold, executive director of Central Virginia Health Services in New Canton.

Benefits of Health Care Reform in the 5th District of Virginia:

From an analysis by the Committee on Energy and Commerce:

In the 5th district of Virginia, the health care reform bill will:

• Improve coverage for 409,000 residents with health insurance.
• Give tax credits and other assistance to up to 183,000 families and 15,200 small businesses to help them afford coverage.
• Improve Medicare for 130,000 beneficiaries, including closing the donut hole.
• Extend coverage to 48,000 uninsured residents.
• Guarantee that 10,700 residents with pre-existing conditions can obtain coverage.
• Protect 1,200 families from bankruptcy due to unaffordable health care costs.
• Allow 55,000 young adults to obtain coverage on their parents’ insurance plans.
• Provide millions of dollars in new funding for 30 community health centers.
• Reduce the cost of uncompensated care for hospitals and other health care providers by $26 million annually.